Eynsham Parish Council was delighted to be awarded a grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)’s Fund this autumn. We’ve secured £5,000 to help us tackle anti-social behaviour in the village.
The PCC funding programme sought applications across three priority areas, one of which was ‘Protecting Communities and Crime Prevention’. Our application was based on seeking to reduce anti-social behaviour at Eynsham Skate Park, after the number of incidents rose in recent years, causing concern across our community.
Eynsham Skate Park is in a relatively secluded corner of the recreation ground, with limited natural surveillance and visibility. We believe this contributed to the rise in incidents of anti-social behaviour, so we plan to reduce the shrubs and bushes around the area and install some solar-powered, LED lighting mounted on telescopic poles.
These changes will make the skate park feel safer and the area more visible, reducing the potential for anti-social behaviour. It should also encourage more of our residents to enjoy the space, especially as the lighting will keep the area bright on dark afternoons/evenings in the autumn and winter.
We are hugely grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner for recognising our aims and awarding us a grant to allow us to complete the project. We are also grateful to our local police constable, PC Hannah Leggott, who has enthusiastically supported this project.
Residents are advised to keep an eye on the website for further information about when the improvement work is scheduled, as it will require the area to be closed for a short time.
A short-lived inconvenience will allow us to make the skate park a safer and more welcoming space for everyone, and hopefully reduce the incidents of anti-social behaviour in the village.